Monday, May 19, 2008

My friends used to ask me about my hobby. I always answer them saying that collecting banknotes have been my hobby since many years ago. Some of them think that I must be a rich guy; they would rather spend the money to buy something they want instead of keeping them for viewing or have them to be a collection. Many of them think that collecting banknote is a very costly hobby as it requires a lot of capital.

I do admit that in the initial stage you do require some capital for you to collect the banknotes. But, I rather think that there should be better ways of collecting banknotes that can bring down the cost of collecting. One of the ways is to adopt the method of averaging down the cost of collecting.

I always collect or buy banknotes at least in pair or more. I believe that by doing so, it helps me to reduce the cost of collecting. Image that if I have bought two banknotes with $10 each. It costs me $20 for two. I would then wait for the appreciation of the note, say in 2 years and resell it at $12. Then the cost of keeping first note has been reduced to $8 instead of $10. What if I have bought 5 and resell four of them for RM12, my cost of holding the remaining note will be zero.

Of course many will ask how to get the buyers? There are plenty of internet tools such as online auction available as platform for collectors to sell or buy. I am pretty sure that you heard about ebay or http://www.ebay.com/. It is a pretty awesome tool for you to sell you collection at fair market value. If you are holding a piece of rare item, I am pretty sure you will get good return.

As a collector, you should plan and use the appropriate way of increasing your collection. Having all you money to buy the collection you want isn't a good ideal. Always think of cheapest way of increasing your collection as well as increasing your wealth.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Sarawak located at Borneo Island is one of the two Malaysian states in East Malaysia. It was once governed by the Brunei Sultanate in the early of 19th century. Upon arrival of Sir James Brooke in Sarawak, he was appointed as Rajah (Ruler) of Sarawak by Sultan of Brunei and he founded the White Rajah Dynasty of Sarawak.

The earliest banknote issued by Sarawak State was by the Sarawak Government Treasury between 1894 and 1917. They carried portrait of Sir Charles Johnson Brooke, 2nd White Rajah of Sarawak whom succeeded from his uncle, Sir James Brooke. The subsequent same notes which also issued the Sarawak Government Treasury between 1919 and 1922 were carried portrait of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke, son of Sir Charles Johnson Brooke and also the 3rd White Rajah of Sarawak.

In 1929, the Government of Sarawak issued a new type of notes to replace those notes issued by Sarawak Government Treasury. These new notes carried the portrait of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke. The Sarawak notes were issued in denomination of $1, $5, $10, $25, $50 and $100. They continued to be legal tender until Japanese Occupation in 1942.

Sarawak 1 DollarThe $1 Sarawak note was printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Ltd London in 1/7/1929, 1/1/1935 and 1/1/1940. THE FRONT features portrait of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke. Notice that Chinese and Jawi languages were used to describe one dollar. THE BACK features emblem of Sarawak state. Malay language "satu" was written on the right side of the note that carried the meaning of one dollar.

Sarawak 5 DollarsThe $5 Sarawak note was printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Ltd London in 1/7/1929 and 1/1/1938. THE FRONT features portrait of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke. The Jawi and Chinese languages which describing the value of five dollars were printed on the left and right side on the top of the note. THE BACK features handcraft of Sarawak's native.

Sarawak 10 DollarsThe $10 Sarawak note was printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Ltd London in 1/7/1929, 1/6/1937 and 1/1/1940. THE FRONT features portrait of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke. THE BACK features an administrative building by Sarawak Government.

Sarawak 50 DollarsThe $10 Sarawak note was printed by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Ltd London in 1/7/1929. THE FRONT features portrait of Sir Charles Vyner Brooke. THE BACK features handcraft of Sarawak native.

Welcome To My Blog

Welcome to my blog. This blog provides and updates you on information that relates to Malaysian currency and other Southeast Asian currency. There are many ordinary collectors around the world that just like you and me. However, there aren't many blogs that share the story and history of banknote or coin. I hope to share with you a little information of Malaysia and Southeast Asian country's currency.

Collecting banknote has been my hobby since many years ago. I enjoy viewing the unique design and color of each banknote or coin. One of my excitements is to get know of the MALAYSIA and other Asian countries' history through collecting banknotes /paper money and coins.

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All images, photos or resources published in Malaysian Banknotes are used for discussion and educational reference only. They are not meant for commercial purposes. These images, photos and resources might be obtained through private or commercial websites/publications. If you think that those materials are belongs to your copyright, please inform the author and it shall be removed accordingly. Everyone is free to read and use all materials or resources published in this blog for educational purposes.